Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal

Opening RemarksRobert Schapiro ∗

First, I would like to welcome you all to this wonderful event. Thank you to the distinguished members of the bench and bar, our sponsors, students, faculty, faculty advisor and Robert T. Thompson Professor of Law, Rafael Pardo. I especially want to thank the students of the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, especially outgoing Editor-in-Chief Alex Clamon and incoming Editor-in-Chief Gene Goldmintz.

Emory’s bankruptcy program is truly a signature strength of Emory Law School. Its curriculum is one that integrates theory and practice. It is made possible by the close ties among bankruptcy judges, practicing lawyers, and outstanding scholars. Emory’s bankruptcy program is a model of all that is best in both legal education and the legal profession. Of course, the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal lies at the heart of this program.

This year was a great year for Emory’s bankruptcy program with two signature events. In January, Emory Law School hosted a discussion of § 363 sales with the American College of Bankruptcy. This February, the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal Symposium featured panels on Dewsnup v. Timm 1502 U.S. 410 (1992). -lien-stripping and § 363 of the Bankruptcy Code.

Emory Law School’s bankruptcy program was central to the other outstanding accomplishments that we celebrated over the course of the past year. One of those newer projects was the Emory Law School Supreme Court Advocacy Project. Given the long tradition of excellence in bankruptcy, it was fitting that when the students of the Emory Law School Supreme Court Advocacy Project brought their first case to the U.S. Supreme Court, it was the bankruptcy case of Bullock v. BankChampaign, N.A. 2Bullock v. BankChampaign, N.A., 133 S. Ct. 1754 (2013). Last spring, the plaintiff, Randy Bullock, represented by Emory Law students and lawyers from Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP, won a unanimous victory in the United States Supreme Court.

Finally, the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal’s 30th anniversary makes this great year even more special. The Journal started in 1983 from humble beginnings with a single, 400-page issue. At that time, it was simply titled the Bankruptcy Developments Journal—it had not yet added Emory to its title. The Journal has had an extraordinary influence over the past thirty years. Over one thousand law students have contributed to it. Many thousands of scholars and practitioners along with many judges have benefitted the Journal. The Journal has been cited as a leading authority in the area of bankruptcy law.

As we celebrate the Journal’s 30th anniversary, it is only appropriate that we honor former Dean of Emory University School of Law and current George E. Allen Professor of Law at the University of Richmond, David Epstein. David is an outstanding, influential bankruptcy scholar. He came to Emory just after the Journal was founded. Perhaps it even helped attract him here. He nurtured and inspired the Journal. The Journal, like the law school, bears the imprint of his inspired leadership.

For this 30th anniversary, we would also like to recognize Keith Shapiro. 1983 was a special year. It was not only the year the Bankruptcy Developments Journal launched, but it was also the year Keith graduated from Emory University School of Law. He helped give birth to the Journal and has remained a driving force in growing and protecting his “child” like a helicopter parent.

Both Keith and the Journal have enjoyed outstanding professional success. Keith was one of only three attorneys who founded Greenberg Traurig’s Chicago office. Keith enjoyed tremendous success and recognition in the firm and around the world. At Greenberg Traurig, he became Vice President, Chairman of the Chicago office, the firm’s National Chairman of Strategic Recruitment, and Co-Chair of the firm’s Business Reorganization and Financial Restructuring Practice. In addition to his success at Greenberg Traurig, he became Chairman of the Board and President of the American Bankruptcy Institute and a Fellow of the American College of Bankruptcy.

Keith has also shown his dedication to non-profit leadership. He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Jewish Theological Seminary, Founding Chair for the Law and Justice Committee of the United States Holocaust Museum, and member of the Executive Committee of the Anti-Defamation League.

We are grateful for Keith’s dedication to Emory Law School. He has served on the Emory Law Advisory Board, is a member of the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal Advisory Board, and an Alumni Advisor for the Journal.

Keith established the Shapiro Bankruptcy Awards for student members of the Journal. Keith’s annual awards provide very meaningful and much needed monetary support for students. These awards demonstrate Keith’s commitment to helping students. Seeing that Keith Shapiro, as busy as he is, invests so much time and energy in the Journal, we can all appreciate the importance of the enterprise.

Keith Shapiro is a great model of what it means to be an active and supportive Emory Law alumnus. He has involved himself personally and consistently in the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, an involvement that has sustained and increased the success of both the publication and the annual banquet.

Emory Law depends on the vital connections among students, faculty, alumni, and the profession. Keith has been that vital connector, and he has helped the Journal become one as well. As we celebrate thirty years of the Emory Bankruptcy Developments Journal, we would like to recognize Keith Shapiro as its advisor, supporter, and guardian angel.

Footnotes

∗Dean, Emory University School of Law, and Asa Griggs Candler Professor of Law.